Latrobe detectives are reminding parents to teach their children about stranger danger after a girl was approached by a middle-aged man in Traralgon on Friday.
The girl, of primary school age, was approached by a man in a red utility in the Grubb Avenue area on Friday afternoon and asked her to get in the vehicle.
It came after a similar incident with a red ute in the same area on 11 May involving a high school-aged girl. “Fortunately on both occasions, the victims have declined and left the area,” Detective Sergeant Alan Rumble said.
“Police take these matters very seriously and we want to bring it to the attention of the community to be alert, but not alarmed.”
The driver of the ute is described as Caucasian and about 50 years old.
Det Sgt Rumble said police had been working with schools in the area to inform parents.
“If (your kids) are approached, they should not engage in conversation, they should run away immediately and contact police,” he said.
Car set on fire
About 3.50am on Wednesday, firefighters extinguished a blaze in a car which was parked on McLean Street, Morwell.
The fire caused extensive damage to the vehicle and is being treated as suspicious.
Sling shot spree
Police are appealing for witnesses after 21 vehicles were damaged across residential Traralgon with what is believed to be a slingshot. According to police, the vehicles were targeted between Friday night and Saturday morning by unknown offenders who used a slingshot or similar projectile device to shoot rocks through the windows of the cars in a range of residential areas including St George’s Road, Henry Street, Hyland Street and Hazelwood Road.
Police are investigating whether a dark-coloured Holden Commodore was involved. Anybody with information should phone Traralgon Police Station on 5174 0900.
Bicycle theft
About 1.30am on Thursday, 30 May, the Bicycle Evolutions store along the Princes Highway in Traralgon was broken into and a 2013 GT Fury downhill mountain bike was stolen.
Police are searching for a man described as about 180cm tall and wearing an all-in-one, white hooded suit. The bike is valued at $3500.
